DiotimosReading Desk

Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Anonymous

Candida Phoenix Philosophica

The White Philosophical Phoenix

Explore the Lexicon
Candida Phoenix PhilosophicaPart I — Proem

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Facing Pages · Branch 14 of 411

Part I — Proem

Book Mode

German & Latin

3–4

Ob nun wohl solches vielmehr de Praxi als Theoria geredet (wie dann die Hermetische Philosophia secundum M. Claud. Germain, D. & Medicum Parisiens. beedes in Theoria und Praxi bestehet / und so viel jenes anbelangt / eine Wissenschafft: Dieses aber anbetreffend / eine Kunst zu nennen) hingegen aber vornemblich eine Theoriam und insonderheit die Geheimnuß des Regenwassers / und daß auß demselben (gleichfalls) eine Universal-Medicin zu præpariren sey / auch vermittelst dessen / die Principia Philosophiæ Hermeticæ, bevorab aber Gleichnuß weise / das Subjectum dieser Kunst zu beschreiben mein intent ist; So mag jedoch unter andern Orten der H. Schrifft vorbemeltes erste Capitel des ersten Buchs Moysis / und die darinn begriffene Beschreibung gedachten grossen und wunderbahren Wercks der Schöpffung / zuvorderst zu sothanem meinem Vorhaben auch nicht wenig dienen: Sintemahln wir daselbst / und zwar stracks anfangs lesen:

3–4

Candida Phoenix Philosophica: Part I — Proem

3–4

Although this is said more of practice than of theory—for, according to Master Claude Germain, doctor and physician of Paris, Hermetic philosophy consists of both theory and practice, and in the former respect is called a science, in the latter an art—my purpose is chiefly to set forth a theory, and especially the mystery of rainwater: that a universal medicine may likewise be prepared from it; and, by its means, to describe the principles of Hermetic philosophy and, above all by analogy, the subject of this art. Yet, among other passages of Holy Scripture, the aforementioned first chapter of Genesis and its account of the great and wondrous work of creation may serve my undertaking in no small measure. For there, at its very beginning, we read:

3–4

About This Reading Edition

An anonymous Hermetic treatise of 1680, presented in its original German and Latin with a new English translation, 279 explanatory notes, the historical phoenix frontispiece, an introduction, reading guide, outline, glossary, bibliography, and original registers.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Candida Phoenix philosophica. Frankfurt am Main: Christian Hermsdorff, 1680. The chosen witness is the Wellcome Library copy digitized as b32993456; German and Latin, with French, Greek, and Hebrew passages retained.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The 1680 source is identified as public domain by the Wellcome/Internet Archive record. The supplied 2026 transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, reading guide, outline, glossary, bibliography, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. The frontispiece is retained from the supplied edition and credited to its historical witness.